Category Archives: AFCON Fantasy Football

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Ivory Coast

Leave a comment

The FPL Manual shares his thoughts on the 2023 AFCON host Ivory Coast for AFCON Fantasy. Sharing insights on the nation’s road to AFCON 2023, probable team lineup and best fantasy assets to consider.

Team Profile

  • Name – Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Nickname – Les Éléphants (The Elephants)
  • Current World ranking – 49th (8th in Africa)

Côte d’Ivoire hosted the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 1984 and have won the tournament on two occasions in 1992 and 2015. Back in the previous AFCON 2021 campaign, The Elephants excelled in then Group E finishing with 7 points but this would not amount to much. By the Round of 16, the Ivorians got knocked out of the tournament to Egypt in a 5-4 penalty shootout.

 

Ivory Coast Road to AFCON

Ivory Coast’s journey to AFCON 2023 started back in June 2022 with a strong 3-1 home win against Zambia and ended with a 1-0 win at home to Lesotho. The Elephants had a good run in Group H (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) scoring nine goals and conceding only five goals.

 

Ivory Coast’s Top Scorers in AFCON Qualifiers

  • Ibrahim Sangare – 3
  • Christian Kuoame – 2
  • Serge Aurier, Sébastien Haller, Jean-Phillpe Krasso, Franck Kessie – 1

Franck Kessie is occasionally on penalty duty with Sébastien Haller not far behind.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Ivory Coast Team News

Côte d’Ivoire Official team list for AFCON 2023 was released a few days ago:

Dropped players: W Zaha, E Bailley, A Diallo, Hamed Traore, Jean-Philippe Gbamin. I’m a bit surprised Adingra was not replaced but I would guess it is perhaps not as serious as we feared.
According to The Athletic, De Zerbi on Adingra said “I don’t know if he can play in the African Cup because of the injury,” he said. “He needs four or five weeks. It’s a muscular injury, hamstring.” Regardless heading into Group A, Adringa is a doubt for sure.

 

Probable lineup:
The gaffer Jean-Louis Gasset has a way of experimenting with tactics like 4-4-2, and 3-4-3. However, the most consistent formation since his appointment on 20/5/2022 seems to be a 4-3-3 shape. I expect Ivory Coast could line up with this team for MD 1.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Ivory Coast’s Best AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players
Franck Kessie 7.5m, Ibrahim Sangare 5.5m, Sébastien Haller 10.5m, Ghislain Konan 5m, Yahia Fofana 5.5m, Serge Aurier 5.5m.

 

Rotation Risk
Joanthan Bamba 5.5m, Nicolas Pepe 6.5m, Jean-Phillpe Krasso 5.5m, Jérémie Boga 6m, Karim Konate 6m, Jean Micheal Seri 5m.

 

Conclusion
Although The Elephants are hosting this prestigious event for a second time. The Ivorians have been unable to get past the Quarters Finals since their last win in 2015, the hosts will be banking on their home advantage to give them a better chance of going farther in the tournament

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Team Preview – Nigeria

1 Comment

The FPL Manual shares his thoughts on Group A rivals Nigeria for AFCON Fantasy. Sharing insights on the nation’s road to AFCON 2023, probable team lineup and best fantasy assets to consider

Team Profile

Name – Nigeria

Nickname – Super Eagles

Current World ranking – 42nd (6th in Africa)

Nigeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations 3 times (1980, 1994 and 2013), and finished runner-ups three times. The Super Eagles had a great performance back in AFCON 2021 topping then group D with 9 points, however this success was short-lived after being knocked out by Tunisia in the Round of 16.

 

Nigeria’s Road to AFCON

Nigeria’s journey to AFCON 2023 started back in June 2022 with a strong 2-1 home win against Sierra Leone and ended with a 6-0 win at home to Sao Tome and Principle. The Super Eagles were fantastic in Group A (5 wins, 1 loss) scoring 22 goals and conceding only four goals.

 

Nigeria’s Top AFCON Qualifier Scorers

  • Victor Osimhen – 10
  • Moses Simon, Terem Moffi – 2
  • Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Peter Etebo – 1

Osimhen was the standout player for the Super Eagles for the Qualifiers and is the designated pen-taker.



Nigeria Team News

Below is the Official Super Eagles National Team list for AFCON 2023.

 

Dropped players: A Adeleye, J Collins, J Torunarigha, O Dele-Bashiru, O Amas, K Nwakali, N Tella, and Terem Moffi are but a few names that were excluded to arrive at a final 25-man list. Taiwo Awoniyi misses out due to a groin injury.

Probable lineup: Since his official appointment on 15/5/2022. The gaffer Jose Peseiro uses either a 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 shape, however, it is the 4-4-2 formation that has been the most consistent and successful formation for the Super Eagles.

Before I reel out the fantasy picks, let me explain a few things:

  • Despite impressive club form, Victor Boniface has not earned the gaffer’s trust to be a regular.
  • Kelechi Iheanacho sometimes plays out as a right winger and takes a few set pieces.
  • Zaidu Sanusi has not started at LB since June.



Best Nigerian AFCON Fantasy Assets

 

Nailed Players

Victor Osimhen 11.5m, Moses Simon 8.5m, Alex Iwobi 7.5m, Ndidi 5.5m

 

Fairly Nailed (play 70+ mins or start 2/3 group games)

Samuel Chukwueze 8m, Kelechi Iheanacho 6.5m

 

Rotation Risk

Ademola Lookman 9.5m, Z Sanusi 4.5m

Note: Aina and Osayi-Samuel are fighting for the RB spot.

 

Conclusion

The Super Eagles have a dominant attacking force with a top AFCON qualifier scorer and with now-crowned CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen spearing the attack. Heading to Abidjan, The sky is the limit for Nigeria.

You can find additional AFCON 2024 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy: Players Picks for Matchday 6

Leave a comment

Finally, after 28 games in AFCON 2021, we have reached the competition’s semi-final stage. Four countries remain with around 100 players left to choose for your AFCON Fantasy team, down from about 672 at the start of the tournament. In this article, we look at the best player picks to consider for matchday 6, including differentials.

AFCON Semi-final Preview

 

Teams and Schedule
DateTimeFixtures
2nd February20:00 PMBurkina Faso vs Senegal
3rd February20:00 PMCameroon vs Egypt

 

Rules

In the semi-finals, we are allowed to have up to eight players from the same team while having eight free transfers to use. Also, we don’t have to worry about eliminated teams as the teams that lose in the semi-finals will battle for third place, and that game will also count for fantasy.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso vs. Senegal 🇸🇳

 

Burkina Faso 🇧🇫

One of the tournament’s surprises, Burkina Faso, have done well so far by keeping it very tight at the back, conceding only one goal from open play. After missing the quarter-finals, we can only hope that the team’s best player, Bertrand Traoré, will play in the semi-final against arguably the team with the best players in Africa, Senegal. I think we have to be thankful that they’ve reached the semi-finals as we can use their players as budget enablers or punts. Burkina Faso’s players have good prices in AFCON Fantasy while also having decent points in total despite having no player with 30+ points (other teams have at least two players).
We might see 1-3 Burkina Faso players in most fantasy teams because, let’s be honest, they are the cheapest of the four semi-finalist teams. Out of the four teams, I have also seen the least information shared on Twitter or other channels on the team, which makes it harder to predict which players might not play.

 

Players to Target

 

Goalkeeper

  • Hervé Koffi (€5.1M)

Koffi is the cheapest starting goalkeeper that we know for sure will play. The Egypt goalkeeper situation is to be monitored closely, but it might be a little too late with them playing on the second day. If you have an extra free transfer, you can punt on Mohamed Sobhy (4.5).

 

Defenders

  • Issoufou Dayo (€5.0M) – If healthy, he might also be on penalties.
  • Steeve Yago (€5.0M)
  • Issa Kaboré (€5.6M)
  • Edmond Tapsoba (€5.5M)
  • S. Ouattara (€4.5M) – Alternative if Dayo can’t play.
Issoufou Dayo (€5.0M), if he plays, would be my main Burkinabe defender because there is a chance that he is on penalties for the team. Especially after Traoré’s penalty miss earlier in the tournament. If Dayo isn’t available, I would go with their backs Steeve Yago (€5.0M), Issa Kaboré (€5.6M), or Edmond Tapsoba (€5.5M). I don’t think you need to spend €5.5M or more for a Burkina Faso defender.

 

Midfielders

  • Bertrand Traoré (€8.2M)
  • Gustavo Sangare (€5.3M)
  • Blati Touré (€5.0M)
  • Bayala Cyrille (€6.5M)
  • Hassane Bandé (€6.0M)
Trying to fit in Traoré with Salah, Mané, Aboubakar, and Toko Ekambi could be a difficult thing. But Traoré is the best player on the team. If you have the money and squeeze him in, I’d say go for it. We surely will see more news closer to the kick-off about his availability. Gustavo Sangare is the cheap must-own player from this team, in my opinion, because he has played in all five games. He plays centrally but can advance forward too and is also on corner-kick duties.

 

If you want to punt, go for the cheaper Blati Touré, the combative midfielder who has won three man-of-the-match awards in this tournament. He certainly has a lot to prove as he was not contracted by any club before the tournament. His performances earned him a contract with Egyptian club Pyramids FC four days ago.

 

Forwards

  • Djibril Ouattara (€5.6M) – I am unsure whether he will start.
With many BFA midfielders on Realfevr, we aren’t left with many options when it comes to forwards. Djibril Ouattara started the last game, but it is hard to guess whether he will start in the semi-finals. With a €5.6M pricetag, he is the cheapest forward available and can get points even if he doesn’t start. He plays on day one, so you can either wait and see if he starts or not, or you can change him if the gamble doesn’t work out.

 

Senegal 🇸🇳

Senegal has one of the best defensive stats so far, conceding their first goal in the quarter-finals while improving in attack. I think that Senegal is steadily growing and improving, and the team will be even better in the semis. Senegal are the heavy favorites in this game and are trying to build momentum. After scoring just one goal in the group stage matches, they scored twice in the round of 16 against Cape Verde and three times in the quarter-finals against Equatorial Guinea, where they also conceded their first goal of the tournament.

 

The main source of cleansheets in this tournament, it’s not crazy to see seven defenders in the top 10 most points for Senegal, despite P.A. Cissé and Mbaye only starting two games while Koulibaly & Ciss were out with covid.
Because Senegal are heavy favorites against Burkina Faso, we might see 5-7 Senegal players in most AFCON fantasy teams. Their next match, Cameroon and possibly Egypt, will be a more difficult one.

 

Players to Target

 

Goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy (€6.7M)

Mendy is arguably the best keeper in Africa right now, and some might say even in the world. If you rely on the best defense of the tournament for points, Mendy is undoubtedly the way to go for a goalkeeper. He is also the most expensive goalkeeper in AFCON Fantasy, so you might want to save the money because, in all honesty, the chance a goalkeeper hauls in fantasy is very low.

 

Defenders

  • Bouna Sarr (€6.6M)
  • Saliou Ciss (€5.6M)
  • Cheikhou Kouyaté (€5.5M)
  • Abdou Diallo (€5.3M)
  • Kalidou Koulibaly (€6.7M)
Bouna Sarr has a more advanced role than Ciss but is also a million more expensive. His total tally of 34 points is also influenced by the fact that he played RM/RW in the first match. After that Ciss has had more points than Sarr, he is also on corners sometimes, but if you have the money, then go for Bouna Sarr, but if you need to spread the funds, go for Ciss.

 

Kouyaté plays an important role for Senegal. He didn’t start in the quarter-final but came in and scored. Playing OOP as a defensive midfielder, his €5.5M price tag seems like a good bargain. Diallo has played, just like Sarr, all the minutes in Senegal’s defensive line this tournament and is the cheapest entry to their defense. Koulibaly is the team’s main and best defender, but his price tag will scare you rather than attract you to get him.

 

Midfielders

  • Sadio Mané (€12.1M)
  • Ismaïla Sarr (€9.1M)
  • Nampalys Mendy (€5.0M)
  • Idrissa Gueye (€5.5M)
Sadio Mané is a must-have. Period. Ismaïla Sarr, on the other hand, is a very intriguing player. As I said in my last article, this team needed more firepower, and Sarr can bring that to the team. He came in and scored in the quarter-final, and I think he is ready for so much more in the rest of the tournament. Nampalys Mendy is the punt here. MOTM in the last round, I think he deserves to start in the final four.

 

Forwards

  • Famara Diédhiou (€8.1M)
  • Boulaye Dia (€9.0M)
We finally saw Famara Diédhiou scoring against Equatorial Guinea after getting an assist in the previous match. He can do more damage against Burkina Faso in the next game. Despite playing all games, Dia only has 11 points, and with his expensive price tag might be the least attractive player to own. Diédhiou (5%) and Dia (6%) could be great differentials, but Diédhiou should be the one to own here.


🇨🇲 Cameroon vs. Egypt 🇪🇬

 

Cameroon 🇨🇲 

Cameroon continues to be the highest-scoring team while having the best game that they’ve had in the quarter-final in terms of defensive stats. The team with the most goals scored boasts of the best forward duo in the tournament. Aboubakar and Toko Ekambi account for all goals for Cameroon so far. The defenders are harder to target because they’ve only kept one cleansheet so far.
With a tougher opponent to face in Egypt, but with good players, we should see around 4-6 Cameroon players with ease in most AFCON Fantasy teams. Keep in mind that they will face Burkina Faso or Senegal in the next match.

 

Players to Target

 

Goalkeeper
André Onana (€6.3M)

A cheaper alternative to Mendy, but with a more difficult match-up. One of my favorites pre-tournament.

 

Defenders

  • Collins Fai (€5.9M) – Injury worry?
  • Nouhou Tolo (€5.1M)
  • Micheal Ngadeu (€6.5M)
  • Jean-Charles Castelletto (€6.0M)
There is not much to see here because the last match was their first one with a cleansheet. The way to go here is with Collins Fai and Nouhou Tolo. Fai was subbed off in the quarter-final because of an injury. If Fai can’t play, his backup is Mbaizo. Also, Cameroon is playing on the second day, so there won’t be any early lineups. If you want to go safe, go with Tolo.

 

Midfielders

  • Moumi Ngamaleu (€8.7M) – Another injury worry?
  • Martin Hongla (€5.6M)
  • André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (€6.5M)
Moumi was also subbed off because of an injury in the last match. He has very good stats but hasn’t played a full match this tournament. Bassogog (€9.0M) or even N’Jie (€8.0M) could replace him in the starting XI if he can’t play. Both are pricey, though. Martin Hongla, with his three assists in the same number of games played, could be the best and cheapest way to get into the Cameroon midfield. He has nine key passes in just games. Zambo is arguably their best midfielder but comes with a high price tag for a central midfielder. I’d rather have Hongla.

 

Forwards

  • Vincent Aboubakar (€9.3M)
  • Karl Toko Ekambi (€11.1M)
  • Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (€6.5M) – He probably won’t start.
I don’t think I have to say anything about Aboubakar and Toko Ekambi. Their stats say enough:
Vincent Aboubakar – 47 points, 1 blank, 6 goals, 25 shots, 11 SoT’s, 4.6 npxG, 1 assist, 7 KP, 27 DW
Karl Toko Ekambi – 35 points, 2 blanks, 5 goals, 13 shots, 7 SoT’s, 2.13 npxG, 5 KP
Choupo-Moting is the punt here, but he might not start. He didn’t even play in the quarter-final. But if things get difficult against Egypt, he could come in to help the team.

 

Egypt 🇪🇬

Egypt have only conceded one goal from open play so far, although the stats reveal that they’ve been lucky too. With “King Salah” in the team, we always knew that Egypt has a chance to win this tournament. They have been unlucky with injuries (three goalkeepers have already played) and will play in the semi-final without arguably their best defender, Hegazi.

Players to Target

 

Goalkeeper

  • Gabaski (€5.1M) – He says he’ll be ready.
  • Mohammed Elshenawy (€5.9M) – Egypt’s #1 GK but wasn’t ready for the quarter-final. He could start the next game.
  • Mohamed Sobhy (€4.5M) – If #1 and #2 can’t play, he will start.

The way I see it if you don’t hear better news before the deadline and you have a free transfer and an already playing keeper, get Mohamed Sobhy. If he doesn’t play, it won’t really hurt you.

 

Defenders

  • Omar Kamal (€5.1M)
  • Mohamed Abdelmoneim (€5.1M)
  • Ahmed Fetouh (€5.6M)
  • Ayman Ashraf (€6.5M)
  • Marwan Hamdy (€6.0M) – El Wensh could start if he is healthy.
Kamal, Abdelmoneim, and Fetouh are pretty much nailed to start. With Hegazi out of the tournament, we could see Alaa or Ashraf partnering with Abdelmoneim at center-back. If El Wensh is healthy, he too is in contention to start there. The cheapest way to get into Egypt’s defense is Omar Kamal the right-back and Mohamed Abdelmoneim, the center-back. Kamal is more advanced than Fetouh at left-back, and Abdelmoneim is highly involved in set pieces. H even has a goal and an assist (Salah scored off a rebound off Abdelmoneim’s attempt).

 

Midfielders

  • Mohamed Salah (€13.4M)
  • Amr El Solia (€5.2M)
  • Trézéguet (€8.5M)
  • Mohamed Elneny (€5.5M)
Mohamed Salah – 38 points, 2 goals, 13 shots, 6 SoT’s, 2.2 npxG,  1 assist, 14 CC, 16 KP, 1.42 xA in open play. Enough said!
Amr El Solia is the cheapest Egyptian midfielder to own. He is a good enabler with one assist, and five key passes so far. Trézéguet is worth punting on here, but he is so expensive that you’d probably be better off without him. His 1.38 npxG in only 238 minutes means per 90 minutes, his npxG is higher than Salah (509 minutes).

 

Forwards

  • Omar Marmoush (€7.2M)
  • Mostafa Mohamed (€8.5M)
Omar Marmoush has seven key passes, six chances, and is on corners too, which makes him an intriguing pick to have, especially at his price point. He looked dangerous, too from open play in the last game against Morocco. Mostafa Mohamed has a team-high 15 shots (5 on target), but his npxG isn’t that high, 0.74. Still, at 7% ownership, he can be a good differential.

AFCON Fantasy Wildcard Picks

In case you still have a wildcard chip in your hand, this is the direction you’d probably want to go:

 

Wildcard draft v1

  • Going with one goalkeeper who is sure to play.
  • Downgrading Famara Diédhiou or Hongla can give me Ismaïla Sarr for Moumi.
  • I can differentiate defenders by getting Burkina Faso’s defenders.

Wildcard draft v2

  • Going with two playing goalkeepers, but you can wait for more news and decide which Egypt goalkeeper will start.
  • Sell Onana for the Egypt goalkeeper that starts and then upgrade Dayo to Kouyate if you want, or Soulia to Hongla, or Moumi to Sarr.


AFCON Fantasy Differential Picks Matchday 6

 

Goalkeeper

Hervé Koffi – 5%

 

Defenders

Saliou Ciss – 6%
Cheikhou Kouyaté – 9%
Mohamed Abdelmoneim – 6%
Omar Kamal – 7%
Nouhou Tolo – 11%
Issoufou Dayo – 4%

 

Midfielders

Moumi Ngamaleu – 7%
Ismaïla Sarr – 5%
Bertrand Traoré – 13%
Martin Hongla – 3%
Amr El Solia – 10%
Blati Touré – 2%

 

Forwards

Omar Marmoush – 11%
Famara Diédhiou – 5%
Mostafa Mohamed – 7%
Boulaye Dia – 6%

AFCON Fantasy Captain Picks Matchday 6

 

Day 1
Best captaincy pick: Mané
Alternatives: B Sarr, Diédhiou
Punts: I. Sarr, Ciss, Traoré

 

Day 2
Best captaincy pick: Aboubakar/Salah
Alternatives: Toko Ekambi
Punts: Moumi, Mohamed, Marmoush

Summary

You already have a good picture of which players are must-haves, budget enablers, differentials and punts for the last two rounds. The strategy to gain points and move up the ranks might be to get 1-2 differentials and have a good captaincy pick.

You can find additional AFCON 2021 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy Football: Quarter-final Preview

Leave a comment

AFCON now heads into the quarter-finals with the remaining teams ready to battle it out for Africa’s biggest prize. TheFPLManual shares his best assets, differentials, and budget picks to consider for the final rounds of AFCON Fantasy.

AFCON Round of 16 Review

There were plenty of upsets in the last round as well-respected teams like Nigeria, Mali, and Ivory Cast got knocked out, and we witnessed the rise of smaller nations like the Gambia and Equatorial Guinea that progressed to the Quarter Finals. The round of 16 proved that there are no “favourites” in the competition. We will miss our favourite fantasy players like Simon (€7.4m), Mounkoro (€4.6m), Koné (€6.4m), Pépé (€9.2m), and many other assets which were stand-out picks in the group stage.

Moving forward, I would like to point out a few things every AFCON Fantasy Manager needs to know heading into the Quarter Finals. From now on till the final, every manager gets a total of eight transfers. This means you can do almost a complete overhaul of your team without any worries if most of your current players get eliminated. Also, you can sign four players from one country in your team if you wish to.

A few price changes have occurred in the last couple of hours. Below is a list of recent price rises, so kindly check it out.


Kindly take note of the terms I will use later in this thread:

PPG – Points Per Game
SOT – Shot on Target


AFCON Fantasy Player Picks Matchday 5

I’ve divided my player picks into three parts: key players, budget picks, and differentials.

 

Key Players

 

Vincent Aboubakar

🇨🇲 Country: Cameroon

💰 Price: €9.6M

📆 Next fixture: Gambia

The Cameroonian forward has an average of 10.8 PPG scoring six goals in the competition so far. Aboubakar is top for most SOTs – 10, with an average of 2.73 shots per 90 mins. The AFCON Legend is one to have in your team.

 

Karl Toko Ekambi

🇨🇲 Country: Cameroon

💰 Price: €10.9M

📆 Next fixture: Gambia

He has scored three goals, and averaging is 6.0 PPG so far. Ekambi is a big threat up front for the Indomitable Lions. His low 17% ownership could be an advantage to improve rank at this stage, especially after hitting five SOTs against Comoros.

 

Wahbi Khazri

🇹🇳 Country: Tunisia

💰 Price: €8.2M

📆 Next fixture: Burkina Faso

Though he made a cameo against Nigeria, we all know the Tunis Captain’s threat after his haul in MD2 (17 pts), scoring two goals and providing an assist in the 4-0 win against Mauritania. Khazri has an average of 6.7 PPG.

 

Achraf Hakimi

🇲🇦 Country: Morocco

💰 Price: €7.4M

📆 Next fixture: Egypt

The Atlas Lions wingback has been on a hot streak in the campaign scoring two freekick goals in his last two games. Hakimi is averaging 9.0 PPG and took six SOTs in the win against Malawi. His numbers speak for themselves.

 

Sadio Mané

🇸🇳 Country: Senegal

💰 Price: €11.9M

📆 Next fixture: Equatorial Guinea

He is averaging 7.8 PPG and took four SOTs in the last game against Cape Verde. Mané is the star player for Senegal as he has scored about 75% of their goals this campaign and would fancy his chances going forward.

 

Musa Barrow

🇬🇲 Country: The Gambia

💰 Price: €7.7M

📆 Next fixture: Cameroon

The Gambia captain is still one of the only fantasy assets beside Aboubakar & Hakimi to get an attacking return in every stage of the competition, putting up an average of 7.5 PPG and sevens SOTs in the campaign. Consistency.

 

Mohamed Salah

🇪🇬 Country: Egypt

💰 Price: €13.1M

📆 Next fixture: Morocco

Even though the Egyptian captain has only a goal in the contest, fantasy-wise, he is not doing bad with the skipper hitting five SOTs in the RO16 against Cote D’Ivoire and scoring the winning penalty to put Egypt in the Quarter Finals.


Budget Picks

If you are looking for cheap starting players, I would recommend the following names:

 

Forward

🇬🇶 Iván Salvador Edú – €5.6M

 

Midfielders

🇧🇫 Gustavo Sangaré – €5.1M

 

Defenders

🇬🇶 Carlos Akapo – €4.5M

🇬🇲 James Gomez – €4M

 

Goalkeepers

🇬🇶 Jesus Owono – €4.5M

🇬🇲 Baboucarr Gaye – €4.5M

AFCON Fantasy Differential Picks

 

Youssef En-Nesyri

🇲🇦 Country: Morocco

💰 Price: €9.6M

🚀 Ownership: 8%

📊 Average points: 3.3 PPG

📆 Next fixture: Egypt

En-Nesyri had three shots on target against Malawi and scored a goal for seven points. After getting his first goal, En-Nesyri would be motivated to be on the scoresheet against Egypt.

 

Bertrand Traoré

🇧🇫 Country: Burkina Faso

💰 Price: €8.1M

🚀 Ownership: 9%

📊 Average points: 6 PPG

📆 Next fixture: Tunisia

The Burkina Faso captain scored eight points last round and was instrumental in the win against Gabon.

 

Jesus Owono

🇬🇶 Country: Equatorial Guinea

💰 Price: €4.5M

🚀 Ownership: 2%

📊 Average points: 8.3 PPG

📆 Next fixture: Senegal

The Equatorial Guinean keeper is joint top for most clean sheets in the tournament so far.

 

James Gomez

🇬🇲 Country: The Gambia

💰 Price: €4M

🚀 Ownership: 6%

📊 Average points: 5.8 PPG

📆 Next fixture: Cameroon

The Gambia have three clean sheets in their four games, and Gomez is a regular starter for the side, making him a great enabler at just €4M.

 

Saliou Ciss

🇸🇳 Country: Senegal

💰 Price: €5.5M

🚀 Ownership: 2%

📊 Average points: 7.7 PPG

📆 Next fixture: Equatorial Guinea

Senegal are yet to concede a single goal, and Saliou Ciss has three cleansheets to go along with 21 duels won.

 

That brings me to the end of this article. Feel free to like and share it for other AFCON Fantasy managers to read. Wishing you all good luck in the quarter-finals, and have a blessed weekend!

You can find additional AFCON 2021 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy: Player Picks for Matchday 5

Leave a comment

With AFCON 2021 down to its final eight teams, current world #5 Robbie previews the quarter-finals and shares his favourite player picks in AFCON Fantasy for MD5.

AFCON Quarter-finals Preview

Day 1:
1. The Gambia 🇬🇲 vs. 🇨🇲 Cameroon. My prediction is a 1-2 in favour of the hosts Cameroon.
2. Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 vs. 🇹🇳 Tunisia. My prediction is 0-1 in favour of Tunisia.

Day 2:
1. Egypt 🇪🇬 vs. 🇲🇦 Morocco. My prediction is 1-2 in favour of title contenders Morocco.
2. Senegal 🇸🇳 vs. 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea. My prediction is 1-0 in favour of unbeaten Senegal, who are yet to concede a single goal.

Despite high expectations and good underlying stats, we have seen too many low scoring games that I wouldn’t dare to predict high scoring games, but some things I guess could happen:

These games: 🇬🇲 vs. 🇨🇲 and 🇪🇬 vs. 🇲🇦 could be higher scoring games than 🇧🇫 vs. 🇹🇳 and 🇸🇳 vs. 🇬🇶

AFCON Tournament Odds & Favorites

Things have changed a bit since before the tournament, and as it stands now, Senegal are the biggest favorites according to bookmakers, followed by hosts Cameroon, Morocco, and Egypt. @OptaAnalyst has SEN, EGY, MAR, and Tunisia with the highest chances to win the tournament.


AFCON Quarter-Finals Odds

As predicted, Cameroon & Senegal are huge favourites against Gambia & Equatorial Guinea, respectively. Tunisia & Morocco are slight favourites v Burkina Faso & Egypt. But, as we’ve seen so far, surprises can happen. A good defense can get you to a penalty shootout & then who knows what can happen.

Transfers Rules for QF

As you all know, we get eight free transfers for each round for the quarter-final, semi-final and final. You also can have more players from each team now:

  • QF: 4 players per team
  • SF: 8 players per team
  • Final: 12 players per team

Teams to Target

Based on odds, next opponent if the team wins in the QF and road to the final, this is my rank of teams which you can target to get your players:
1. Senegal
2. Cameroon
3. Morocco
4. Tunisia
5. Egypt
6. Burkina Faso
7. Equatorial Guinea
8. The Gambia

Note: The higher the rank, the more players you should target.

 

Players to Target

This time I will break down the players from each team in these categories:
🟢 Must  (1-2 players from each team)
🔵 Can (0-1 player from each team)
🟣 Ultra differentials (0-2 players in your team)

 

Senegal 🇸🇳

Important stats:

  • Goals conceded = 0
  • xGoTC (Expected Goals Conceded from Shots on Target) = 0.7
  • SoTf (Shots on Target faced) = 4

Senegal have scored three goals so far (one penalty) but have also conceded zero goals in the tournament, being the only team to do so. In the first four games, the Senegalese keepers have only faced four shots on target. Their opponents in the quarter-finals, Equatorial Guinea, only have eight SoTf and 1.3 xGoTC. It is recommended to target 3-4 defenders/the keeper and optionally a midfielder or forward from the team.

 

Sadio Mané 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €11.9M
🚀 Ownership: 47%
🔄 Total points: 31 (7.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 4 shots on target, and 6 key passes
His non-penalty xG (npxG) of 1.14 and expected assists (xA) of 0.39 from open play is a team-high. Mané is also Senegal’s talisman and their primary penalty taker.

 

Bouna Sarr 🟢
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €6.5M
🚀 Ownership: 34%
🔄 Total points: 31 (7.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 6 key passes, 25 duels won, 8 shots (1 on target), 2 chances created, and four tackles won
Bouna Sarr’s eight shots are the highest in the team, tied with Mané, and one shot on target is second in the team with seven others. His npxG of 0.56 is fourth, and xA of 0.29 from open play is third for the team.

 

Cheikhou Kouyaté 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 8%
🔄 Total points: 20 (6.7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 17 duels won, 4 interceptions, 3 tackles won, and 1 key pass
Kouyaté is an OOP player. Listed as a defender but he mostly played as a defensive midfielder in the first three games. He missed the fourth game against Cape Verde because of suspension.

 

Kalidou Koulibaly 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €6.6M
🚀 Ownership: 20%
🔄 Total points: 15 (7.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 key passes, 11 duels won, 5 CBI, 9 ball recoveries and 2 chances created
Koulibaly has shown why he is Senegal’s best defender in the two games he has played after missing the first two because of covid.

 

Saliou Ciss 🟣
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 2%
🔄 Total points: 27 (7.7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 4 key passes, 21 duels won, and 2 chances created
Ciss is the cheaper version of Bouna Sarr. He has fewer shots and is more of a chance creator.

 

Ismaïla Sarr 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €9M
🚀 Ownership: 3%
One of Senegal’s brightest talents, Sarr is back in the squad after recovering from an injury. Although he might not start right away, Senegal surely missed him and his creativity. I can see him coming on and making a direct impact against Equatorial Guinea.


Cameroon 🇨🇲

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 9
  • xGoTC = 5.5
  • SoTf = 17

Cameroon is the team with the best-attacking stats and the worst defensive stats among the quarter-finalists. Don’t expect a cleansheet here. Opponents Gambia only have nine SoTf and 2.1 xGoTC but can be another challenge for Cameroon. I recommended getting 3-4 midfielders/forwards and possibly a keeper or defender from the team.

 

Vincent Aboubakar 🟢
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €9.3M
🚀 Ownership: 55%
🔄 Total points: 42 (10.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 6 goals, 1 assist, 6 key passes, 18 duels won, 3.04 npxG, 19 shots, 10 shots on target, and 5 chances created
Aboubaker has been the best player of the tournament so far, scoring six goals. He is also Cameroon’s talisman and penalty taker.

 

Karl Toko Ekambi 🟢
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €10.9M
🚀 Ownership: 17%
🔄 Total points: 24 (6 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 3 goals, 10 shots, 5 shots on target, 4 chances created, and 1.41 npxG

Attacking from the left side, Ekambi has thrived as the leading goalscorer after Aboubakar in the team as well as the tournament (tied with Gabadinho Mhango and Ibrahima Koné – both eliminated).

 

Moumi Ngamaleu 🔵
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €8.5M
🚀 Ownership: 4%
🔄 Total points: 18 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 8 key passes, 5 chances created, 1.5xA from open play, 5 shots, and 2 shots on target
Ngamaleu has been dangerous on the right flank, creating a lot of chances. If you need another Cameroon attacker, he could be the one.

 

Collins Fai 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.7M
🚀 Ownership: 14%
🔄 Total points: 18 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 assists, 4 key passes, 2 chances created, 0.47 xA from open play, 18 duels won, and 10 CBI
Fai is an important part of Cameroon’s setup as both full-backs are very attacking. Fai is the more attacking full-back than Tolo.

 

Nouhou Tolo 🟣
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 9%
🔄 Total points: 17 (4.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 25 duels won, and 12 CBI
He is slightly cheaper than Fai and tends to randomly burst forward in the attack, like in the case of his assist in the first game.

 

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 🟣
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €6.5M
🚀 Ownership: 6%
🔄 Total points: 6 (1.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 key passes and 3 shots
Choupo-Moting hasn’t really made his mark in this tournament till now. If he doesn’t start, and Cameroon has trouble breaking a stubborn Gambia defense, I can see him coming in and making an impact.

Morocco 🇲🇦

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 7
  • xGoTC = 2.9
  • SoTf = 7

Morocco has good attacking stats combined with good defensive stats. SoTf is third-lowest among teams in the quarter-finals (behind Tunisia and Senegal). They are also fifth for xGoTC. Opponents Egypt have a high SoTf and xGoTC, but they also have Salah, who is always a big threat. I recommend getting 1-3 midfielders/forwards and 1-3 defenders or the keeper.

 

Achraf Hakimi 🟢
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €7.4M
🚀 Ownership: 59%
🔄 Total points: 36 (9 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 4 key passes, 28 duels won, 8 shots, 6 shots on target, and 0.88 xA from open play
Hakimi is second in the team in total shots and leads for shots on target. The Moroccan right-back has created havoc for the opponent’s defensive line, scoring two goals.

 

Sofiane Boufal 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €9.1M
🚀 Ownership: 31%
🔄 Total points: 29 (7.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 1.98 npxG, 11 key passes, 10 chances created, 29 duels won, 10 shots, 4 shots on target, 0.64 xA from open play

Boufal is the creative brain behind the team’s attack, and his two goals are proof he is one of the better players in the tournament.

 

Selim Amallah 🔵
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €7.2M
🚀 Ownership: 6%
🔄 Total points: 27 (6.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 2 assists, 7 key passes, 5 chances created, 6 shots, 1 shot on target, 26 duels won, and 5 CBI
You could think of Amallah as Boufal lite. In reality, he isn’t that far behind Boufal but comes in at a much lower price.

 

Romain Saïss 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €6M
🚀 Ownership: 23%
🔄 Total points: 18 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 15 duels won, 7 CBI, 5 shots, 1 shot on target, and 1.99 npxG

Morocco’s captain and centre-back, Saïss, is very involved on set pieces for the team. His xGnp is the highest in the team.

 

Ryan Mmaee 🟣
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €6M
🚀 Ownership: 2%
🔄 Total points: 2 (2 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 37 minutes, 1 key pass, 1 chance created, and 1 shot
Ryan Mmaee has played only 37 minutes so far after an injury setback at the start of the tournament. Mmaee was impressive in his short cameo, and even if he doesn’t start against Egypt, he could play a significant role coming off the bench.

 

Youssef En-Nesyri 🟣
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €9.6M
🚀 Ownership: 8%
🔄 Total points: 10 (3.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 7 shots, and 3 shots on target
Scoring in the last match can really boost a striker’s confidence, especially in a season where he has battled injuries.

Tunisia 🇹🇳

Important stats:

  • Goals conceded = 2 (1 penalty)
  • xGoTC = 0.6
  • SoTf = 3

Tunisia has been one of the best defensive teams so far. Their xGoTC and SoTf is the best in the tournament. Quarter-final opponents Burkina Faso have 12 SoTf & 2.9 xGoTc, the third-worst among quarter-finalists. I recommend getting 1-3 defenders/keeper and 1-3 midfielders/forward from the team.

 

Wahbi Khazri 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €8.2M
🚀 Ownership: 15%
🔄 Total points: 20 (6.7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 1 assist, 9 shots, 5 shots on target, 3 key passes, and 2 chances created
Khazri had a memorable matchday 2 with two goals and an assist before missing the final game of the group stages with covid and only came on as a sub in the round of 16. The Tunisian captain and talisman is leading by example and is also the primary penalty taker although he did miss a crucial one in the first match against Mali.

 

Seifeddine Jaziri 🟢
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €6.5M
🚀 Ownership: 20%
🔄 Total points: 12 (3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, 3 key passes, 3 chances created, and 16 duels won

Jaziri hould be a fine choice if he starts. I’ve been hearing that fans want him to be benched. He has also missed a penalty recently.

 

Youssef Msakni 🔵
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €7.2M
🚀 Ownership: 10%
🔄 Total points: 10 (3.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, and 2 chances created
The hero in the match against Nigeria while captaining the side, Msakni, should get the starting nod in the next game.

 

Ali Maâloul 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4.9M
🚀 Ownership: 12%
🔄 Total points: 9 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 games, 4 key passes, 2 chances created, and 6 duels won

The team’s regular left-back missed games on matchdays 3 & 4 because of covid. He should be back and starting this time.

 

Mohamed Dräger 🟣
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 8%
🔄 Total points: 11 (5.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 games, 123 minutes, 1 assist, 3 key passes, and 2 chances created
Dräger missed the opening two games of AFCON because of covid. He played well in the last match against Nigeria, getting an assist to go along with a cleansheet, and should start again at right-back.

 

Ellyes Skhiri 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 1%
🔄 Total points: 14 (3.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 3 key passes, 2 chances created, 4 shots, 0.81 npxG, and 22 duels won
Skhiri has been unlucky this tournament. Playing as CM can mean that he won’t give you many offensive returns, but he leads the team in xGnp, although he did play 90 minutes in all four games.
Note: Many players have played, because of covid and injuries, I had trouble figuring out who will start against Burkina Faso.

Egypt 🇪🇬

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 2
  • Goals conceded = 1
  • xGoTC = 4.7
  • SoTf = 15

Despite conceding just one goal, Egypt have the second-highest xGoTC and SoTf behind Cameroon, but scoring seven fewer goals so far. They have a tough game against Morocco, so I recommend getting 1-2 defenders/midfielders/forwards and possibly a keeper.

 

Mohamed Salah 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €13.1M
🚀 Ownership: 33%
🔄 Total points: 25 (6.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 10 shots, 5 shots on target, 1.06 npxG, 12 key passes, 11 chances created, and 18 duels won
No explanation is needed. He is Mo Salah!

 

Omar Kamal 🟢
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 3%
🔄 Total points: 26 (8.7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 3 games, 1 shot on target, 4 key passes, 4 chances created, and 22 duels won
Kamal is a part of a solid Egypt backline and is highly-attacking as a right back.

 

Ahmed Hegazi 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €6.6M
🚀 Ownership: 11%
🔄 Total points: 28 (7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 key pass, 31 duels won, 19 CBI, 7 tackles won, and 25 interceptions
Hegazi is a bonus point generating machine and can give you points from those extra stats.

 

Mostafa Mohamed 🔵
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €8.5M
🚀 Ownership: 12%
🔄 Total points: 9 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 12 shots, 5 shots on target, 1 key pass, and 18 duels won
He has been unlucky in his finishing but playing as a striker next to Salah always gives you a big chance of scoring.

 

Omar Marmoush 🟣
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €7.1M
🚀 Ownership: 6%
🔄 Total points: 13 (3.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 6 key passes, 6 chances created, and 5 shots
Marmoush plays on the left side of the attack and has been unlucky not to return so far. He is the cheapest way into the Egypt attack.

 

Amr El Solia 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 5%
🔄 Total points: 16 (5.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 5 key passes, 4 chances created, and 5 shots

Burkina Faso 🇧🇫

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 4
  • Goals conceded = 4 (3 penalties, 1 own goal)
  • xGoTC = 2.9
  • SoTf = 12

Burkina Faso have the third-highest xGoTC and SoTf amongst QF-ists. On the other hand, Opposition Tunisia has the best xGoTC and SoTf in the tournament. They are a very solid team. I recommend getting 0-1 goalkeeper/defender and 1–2 midfielders/forwards from Burkina Faso.

 

Bertrand Traoré 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €8.1M
🚀 Ownership: 9%
🔄 Total points: 18 (6 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 9 shots, 4 shots on target, 1.1 npxG, 1 assist, 2 key passes, 1 chance created, and 0.46 xA from open play
Traoré is the most dangerous man on the team, playing on the right side and is also on penalties.

 

Gustavo Sangaré 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €5.1M
🚀 Ownership: 10%
🔄 Total points: 22 (5.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 6 key passes, 3 chances created, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, and 20 duels won

 

Hassane Bandé 🔵
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €6M
🚀 Ownership: 2%
🔄 Total points: 18 (4.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 3 shots, 3 shots on target, 1 key pass, and 20 duels won

 

Issa Kaboré 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 3%
🔄 Total points: 19 (4.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist and 2 key passes

 

Cyrille Bayala 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €6.5M
🚀 Ownership: 1%
🔄 Total points: 15 (5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 2 shots, 1 shot on target, and 18 duels won

 

Issoufou Dayo
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 4%
🔄 Total points: 10 (3.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 10 duels won and 13 CBI
He could possibly take the next penalty for the team.


Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 4
  • Goals conceded = 1
  • xGoTC = 1.3
  • SoTf = 8

Equatorial Guinea have the fourth-lowest xGoTC and SoTf amongst QF-ists. They have struggled to score, whereas Senegal has the best defense in the tournament, keeping a cleansheet in each game and conceding four shots on target. This could be a low-scoring game, and I recommend getting at the most one player from any position from this team.

 

Iván Edu 🟢
⚽ Position: Forward
💰 Price: €5.6M
🚀 Ownership: 5%
🔄 Total points: 19 (4.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 8 key passes, 5 chances created, 1 shot on target, and 0.78 npxG
Edu is the most dangerous man on this team and their best shot at scoring goals.

 

Saúl Coco 🟢
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 1%
🔄 Total points: 30 (7.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 27 duels won, 28 CBI and 6 tackles won

Coco is part of a solid Equatorial Guinea defense that has conceded just one goal so far, and he was one of the highest-scoring defenders last week with 10 points.

 

Jesus Owono 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 2%
🔄 Total points: 25 (8.3 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 3 games, 6 saves, and 1 penalty save
Jesus saves!

 

Carlos Akapo 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 0%
🔄 Total points: 24 (6 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 15 duels won, 21 CBI and 11 interceptions

 

Basilio Ndong 🟣
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 0%
🔄 Total points: 23 (5.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 20 duels won, 15 CBI, 7 tackles won, 6 interceptions, and 1 key pass

 

Dorian Hanza 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 0%
🔄 Total points: 11 (2.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 4 shots, 3 key passes, 3 chances created, and 11 duels won

The Gambia 🇬🇲

Important stats:

  • Goals scored = 4
  • Goals conceded = 1
  • xGoTC = 2.1
  • SoTf = 9

The Gambia has the fourth-lowest xGoTC and fifth-lowest SoTf among teams in the quarter-finals. Cameroon have 17 SoTf and 5.5 xGoTC which is the highest among QF-ists but they have scored nine goals. I don’t expect a CS for either team in this game. At the most, you could get one player from any position from the Gambia.

 

Musa Barrow 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €7.7M
🚀 Ownership: 8%
🔄 Total points: 30 (7.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 18 shots, 7 shots on target, 1.15 npxG, 2 assists, 4 key passes, and 2 chances created
Clearly the best and most dangerous player for the Gambia. He has a good shot and is not afraid to use it at any time.

 

Abile Jallow 🟢
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €5.5M
🚀 Ownership: 2%
🔄 Total points: 20 (5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, 3 key passes, and 3 chances created

 

James Gomez 🔵
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €4M
🚀 Ownership: 6%
🔄 Total points: 23 (5.8 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 13 duels won, 19 CBI and 4 tackles won

 

Baboucarr Gaye 🔵
🧤 Position: Goalkeeper
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 1%
🔄 Total points: 19 (8.5 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 2 games, 5 saves, 1 penalty save, and 1 key pass

 

Omar Colley 🟣
🛡️ Position: Defender
💰 Price: €5M
🚀 Ownership: 0%
🔄 Total points: 24 (6 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 key pass, 9 duels won, and 25 CBI

 

Yusupha Bobb 🟣
🎯 Position: Midfielder
💰 Price: €4.5M
🚀 Ownership: 0%
🔄 Total points: 14 (4.7 PPG)
📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 3 key passes, 2 chances created, and 3 shots
That’s it for me. I tried to help you navigate the list of players that have turned smaller as we go deeper into the tournament. Good luck in gameweek 5, everyone!

You can find additional AFCON 2021 Fantasy resources here.

AFCON Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football, FEATURED

AFCON Fantasy: Differential Picks for Gameweek 4

Leave a comment

After 24 teams battled it out in the group stage, we are now entering the next round. I will do a short preview of the knockout stage just like I did for the previous gameweek, sharing with you my AFCON Fantasy differential picks for matchday 4.

AFCON Preview Round of 16

 

Big tournaments are always full of surprises. One of the big favorites and reigning champions Algeria have been eliminated, and 1st-time participants Gambia & Comoros have survived the group stage. Of the 68 goals scored, 10 have been penalties (14.7%).

 

Fixtures

DateTimeFixtures
23rd January17:00 PMBurkina Faso vs Gabon
20:00 PMNigeria vs Tunisia
24th January17:00 PMGuinea vs The Gambia
20:00 PMCameroon vs Comoros
25th January17:00 PMSenegal vs Cape Verde
20:00 PMMorocco vs Malawi
26th January17:00 PMIvory Coast vs Egypt
20:00 PMMali vs Equatorial Guinea

 

According to Opta’s algorithm, these five teams have a higher than 10% chance to win the AFCON:

  • Nigeria – 17%
  • Morocco – 15.7%
  • Senegal – 15.7%
  • Egypt – 10.2%
  • Ivory Coast – 10.0%


Teams in the AFCON Round of 16

I’ve listed the teams in tiers and the number of players you should select based on:
1. Performance.
2. Stats.
3. Current situation (suspension, injury, illness).
4. Road to the final.

With eight transfers in each of the following rounds, you can choose to attack the match-ups in each round much better and go for differential picks or punts. After having a max of three players from each team until the Rd of 16, we can have four players maximum in QF, eight in SF, and 12 in the final.

 

Tier 1 (3 players)

Cameroon 🇨🇲

Next fixtures: Comoros and Guinea/Gambia (QF)

 

Nigeria 🇳🇬

Next fixtures: Tunisia and Burkina Faso/Gabon (QF)

 

Senegal 🇸🇳

Next fixtures: Cape Verde and Mali/Equatorial Guinea (QF)

 

Tier 2 (2-3 players)

Morocco 🇲🇦

Next fixtures: Malawi and Ivory Coast/Egypt (QF)

 

Mali 🇲🇱

Next fixtures: Equatorial Guinea and Senegal/Cape Verde (QF)

 

Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

Next fixtures: Egypt and Morocco/Malawi (QF)

 

Tier 3 (1-2 players)

Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Egypt 🇪🇬
Guinea 🇬🇳
The Gambia 🇬🇲
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Gabon 🇬🇦

 

Tier 4 (0-1 player)

Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Malawi 🇲🇼
Comoros 🇰🇲

AFCON Fantasy Player Picks RO16

 

Tier 1 Picks

 

Moumi Ngamaleu

🇨🇲 Country: Cameroon

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €8.5M

🚀 Ownership: 3%

🔄 Total points: 16 (5.3 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 6 key passes, and 3 chances created

The right-winger plays an integral part in Cameroon’s attack with an assist and team-high 1.16 xA in open play. He is also second in the team for chances created with three. So far, he has six key passes, 14 duels won, and one shot on target to his name.

 

Taiwo Awoniyi

🇳🇬 Country: Nigeria

🎯 Position: Forward

💰 Price: €7.5M

🚀 Ownership: 4%

🔄 Total points: 10 (5 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 9 shots, 4 shots on target, and 3 chances created

Played twice & rested for the third match, making his team-high four SoT’s & 2.38 xG even more impressive. Awoniyi has been involved in 2.55 sequences that led to a shot or goal (total xG) and is third for Nigeria when it comes to xA with 0.42.

 

Saliou Ciss

🇸🇳 Country: Senegal

🎯 Position: Defender

💰 Price: €5.5M

🚀 Ownership: 1%

🔄 Total points: 16 (8 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 3 key passes, 1 chance created, 14 duels won, and 6 CBI

Senegal’s first-choice left-back Ciss has played twice so far after missing the first game because of covid. He has registered one chance created, three key passes and 0.21 xA (3rd in the team) in his two games and looks pretty good. Senegal have kept a cleansheet in each of their group stage games and faced only three shots on target with 0.8 xGoTC.


Tier 2 Picks

 

Selim Amallah

🇲🇦 Country: Morocco

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €7.1M

🚀 Ownership: 3%

🔄 Total points: 18 (6 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 key passes, and 2 chances created

Amallah is third in the team for shots with five (one SoT) and xG with 1.64 total xG. Facing a Malawi team that has conceded the most shots on target so far with 12, behind Comoros’ 17 and 3.7 xGoTC (2nd), he could be a great differential.

 

Massadio Haïdara

🇲🇱 Country: Mali

🎯 Position: Defender

💰 Price: €5.1M

🚀 Ownership: 3%

🔄 Total points: 20 (6.7 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 shot on target, and 10 CBI

Haïdara scored the only open goal for Mali so far in the last game, besides Koné’s three penalty goals. Despite being a defender, he is third for xG in open play for the team with 0.46 xG. Mali have kept two cleansheets and faced only five shots on target so far with 0.8 xGoTC and have another great fixture to keep a cleansheet against Equatorial Guinea.

 

Ibrahim Sangaré

🇨🇮 Country: Ivory Coast

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €5.1M

🚀 Ownership: 4%

🔄 Total points: 20 (6.7 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 7 key passes, 6 chances created, and 19 duels won

Sangaré is an energetic midfielder who plays all over the pitch for Ivory Coast and has been one of their most impressive players in AFCON 2021. He is fourth for xG in the team with 1.54 xG has the most chances created with six to go along with a goal and an assist to his name.

Tier 3 Picks

 

Bertrand Traoré

🇧🇫 Country: Burkina Faso

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €8M

🚀 Ownership: 6%

🔄 Total points: 10 (5 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, 2 key passes, and 15 duels won

 

Mostafa Mohamed

🇪🇬 Country: Egypt

🎯 Position: Forward

💰 Price: €8.5M

🚀 Ownership: 5%

🔄 Total points: 7 (2.3 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 9 shots, 4 shots on target, and 0.43 xG

 

Issiaga Sylla

🇬🇳 Country: Guinea

🎯 Position: Defender

💰 Price: €5.5M

🚀 Ownership: 5%

🔄 Total points: 22 (7.3 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 2 cleansheets, 5 key passes, 0.62 xG, and 0.42 xA

 

Musa Barrow

🇬🇲 Country: The Gambia

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €7.6M

🚀 Ownership: 3%

🔄 Total points: 21 (7 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 2 assists, 11 shots, 4 shots on target, and 4 key passes

 

Jim Allevinah

🇬🇦 Country: Gabon

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €6.2M

🚀 Ownership: 6%

🔄 Total points: 22 (7.3 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots, 2 shots on target, and 0.81 total xG

Tier 4 Picks

 

Iván Salvador Edú

🇬🇶 Country: Equatorial Guinea

🎯 Position: Forward

💰 Price: €5.5M

🚀 Ownership: 1%

🔄 Total points: 16 (5.3 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 assist, 9 shots, 1 shot on target, 6 key passes, and 2.63 total xG

 

Garry Rodrigues

🇨🇻 Country: Cape Verde

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €6.5M

🚀 Ownership: 0%

🔄 Total points: 14 (4.7 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 shots, 2 shots on target, 0.79 xA and 2.12 total xG

 

Gabadinho Mhango

🇲🇼 Country: Malawi

🎯 Position: Forward

💰 Price: €6M

🚀 Ownership: 1%

🔄 Total points: 16 (8 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 8 shots, 2 shots on target, and 1.93 total xG

 

Ahmed Mogni

🇰🇲 Country: Comoros

🎯 Position: Midfielder

💰 Price: €5.5M

🚀 Ownership: 0%

🔄 Total points: 15 (5 PPG)

📊 Key stats: 2 goals, 4 shots, 2 shots on target, 0.89 xG, and 1.07 total xG

 

With the picks leaning more towards attackers, for defense (DF & GK), I would recommend that you get 1-2 players from these teams for this GW:
  • Top priority: Mali; Senegal; Morocco
  • Followed by: Cameroon; Burkina Faso
That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed this article can use it as a tool to build your team for GW4. Good luck!

You can find additional AFCON 2021 Fantasy resources here.